Three more named in All Blacks squad

Charlie Ngatai. Photo / Getty Images

Like some show of communist military strength, the All Blacks were able to parade another three new arrivals today and still appear to be a long way from scraping the barrel.

The arrival of Tom Taylor, Charlie Ngatai and Seta Tamanivala, who join other new recruits Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Andy Ellis, George Moala and Brad Weber in what is now technically a 49-man squad, has increased the likelihood of a handful of new caps being blooded in Apia.

The All Blacks are planning to take 29 players to Samoa and it is probable that only one player currently training in Auckland with the squad will be left behind.

But even with 29, they will be a little patchy if beset by injury as there are only three locks, two specialist halfbacks and, intriguingly, only two specialist outside backs - neither of whom are considered to be fit enough to get through 80 minutes.

Charles Piutau and Israel Dagg are likely to start in Apia but given their lack of game time in recent months due to injury and the forecast heat and humidity, head coach Steve Hansen is planning on the basis neither will go the distance.

That, and the prospect of being exposed should anything happen to either Daniel Carter or Colin Slade are in Samoa, was the reason for calling up Taylor.

"If we lost Colin or if we lost Dan while we are away then we would need another first-five," said Hansen. "And neither Izzy nor Charles will be able to play a full game so they will be limited with their game time. He [Taylor] just gives us a bit more versatility in the group."

Slade, having played on the wing against Scotland last year, is now odds on to be put there again with one of Moala or Ngatai shaping as the probable midfield/outside back cover from the bench.

Should the former end up winning his first test cap it would be testament to his mental fortitude and resilience having endured a court case earlier this year as well as the shambolic and demoralising campaign with the Blues.

It would, however, be something of a surprise should he edge out Ngatai as the Maori captain has been a player on the rise since he enjoyed a strong campaign with the Chiefs last year.

"Charlie has been playing really well," said Hansen. "We are blessed with the midfielders we have got and probably if he played for any other country he'd have had a test by now."

Ngatai's Chiefs and Taranaki teammate, Seta Tamanivala, sits as the probable exclusion from the group that travels to Samoa. Still, while he may not feature in Apia, his call-up signals that he's a player with a skill set and physique that the selectors have identified as perfect for test football.

Only 22, Tamanivala just needs game time at Super Rugby to confirm his potential.
"He had a fantastic season last year for Taranaki and he's very strong in the midfield, he's got a lot of pace and probably disappointed in the Super competition to not get too many opportunities in what was a pretty handy midfield in Charlie [Ngatai] and Sonny [Bill Williams]," said Hansen. "When you make up the bench, he didn't bring the versatility of someone like [Andrew] Horrell. He's in behind two guys who are both here as well."